Thursday, July 28, 2011

Look out world, my mind has been in overdrive lately with new ideas for writing projects. The idea for this letter to David popped into my head right after I heard that he sang Crazy at his concert in Malaysia. I have used lyrics from all of the songs that David sang on his Asian tour. There is at least one phrase or partial phrase from each of the songs. Don't ask me how many I used, I didn't count them. Actually, I did and there are at least 75. I'm sure I missed a couple as I was skimming through it. This little fun endeavor is actually a piece of non-fiction. If any of you know me, you know what I'm talking about.

I hope that you like it.

Margy

Dear Mr. David Archuleta,

I remember, I remember when I lost my mind. At least I think I did. It feels like I did. You see, I don’t know what I was thinking. I should have listened to my conscience but I kept telling myself don’t think about it. I know that life is unpredictable and nothing ever lasts forever. If only I could get through this phase of my life when the night has come and the land is dark, then I won’t be afraid, no, I won’t be afraid. I won’t cry, no I won’t shed a tear, even when I feel like I might stumble and fall. I’m trying to hold on for dear life but I don’t think this is working. I realize that only once in your life you find someone who will turn your world around, that will help you through the good times and the bad. They say give it time and if you just go with the flow, it’s gonna be alright, but I know I can’t do this alone.

That was how I felt in January 2008, but that’s over now. You see, I decided that I couldn’t carry on this way. I realized that life, it’s an endless ride; sometimes it takes you up, sometimes it tears you down inside. What you don’t expect can come and find you. I know better than to let it get the best of me. I could give up or I could move on, and move on is what I chose.

All I know is that, just over three short years ago, I was flipping channels on my television, searching for something to take my mind off of my problems when I was introduced to my kind of perfect. Since then, I’m in Heaven. There’s something ‘bout love that flows from you and all I know is that you take me away from the troubles that arise in this life. I’m not gonna analyze or try to fight it. I don’t even care if it makes no sense at all. You opened up my eyes, you turned my lows to highs, and you keep me coming back for more. It never crossed my mind at all that I’m wasting time following you, even though I’m too good at wasting time. If you tell me that it’s not possible that you have made this huge impact on my life, I won’t be offended. I know that you don’t see yourself that way. Maybe I’m wrong, maybe I’m right, but I can’t let the music stop; your words keep running through my head. You have said to hang on, hang in for the ride of your life and that is what I have done, and it works for me. I didn’t know that I could feel the way that I do now. I just can’t figure it out so maybe you can tell me what you did to me.

In these three short years, I have discovered that nothing brings me down when you’re around and nothing is illogical. I always knew that the day would come when the rest of the world would realize that you are so beautiful in so many ways, and that day is now. I’ll never understand why it took so long for others to see it, but now there’s no turning back from this point. I guess that you were only waiting for this moment to be free so that you could tell the world that “it’s bad business the way you’re stomping the roses.” It’s reassuring to me, a fan, that you’re gonna keep on fighting until you make it to the other side of down. I didn’t understand what you meant by this at first, but now it’s perfectly clear.

I wonder, when you were younger, did it occur to you that this early in your life you would be reaching heights like never before? It certainly crossed my mind when I first saw your smiling face on my television screen and then listened to the voice of an angel melt away my pains. Now, every night, it’s all the same. I hear the lyrics to your songs floating through my mind, telling me live and let live. It’s not as if nothing can touch us, because many things can tear apart the weakest hearts, but now I let others try to hold on to my hands and help me along the way.

I had a dream last night that I wrote you a letter and tried to explain why I’m just a little too not over you, but some things you can’t put on paper. I even tried to explain that I would walk a thousand miles if I could just see you perform tonight. Does that make me crazy? Probably!

So, David, welcome to your life. Now that you have shown the world a whole new side of you, there’s no turning back, so I hope you’re having the time of your life. Your awesomely fantastic tour of Asia has rekindled the fire in your fans and it isn’t too hard to see we’re in Heaven. Even those of us who were not in Asia are excited about things to come. I’m sure that we will find you acting on your best behavior, as always. It’s great to know that now our dreams are coming true and the world is finally seeing you the way that we do - a superstar on the rise.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Well, as any true fan of David Archuleta already knows, he has been performing in Asia the last few days. And these performances have been epic. So far David has performed for insanely stoked fans in Jakarta, Indonesia and Manila, Philippines with so much intensity that I'm not sure how these fans are still functioning. Just watching on Ustream and YouTube is almost too much to handle. David's performance of "Heaven" at his concert in Manila on Monday night is arguably his best performance ever. It definitely left me speechless and I was just watching a jumpy, glitchy Ustream broadcast. I can't even imagine what it was like live. These fans were so blessed.

Now that my mind is finally returning to normal (I have avoided watching "Heaven" on YouTube so far today so that I could get other things accomplished) I have written an original piece of poetry to commemorate David's epic visit to Asia. The form I chose to use this time is that of the limerick. I hope that you like it.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

July 4, American Independence Day. This is one of my favorite holidays, following Christmas and Easter. I love this day, not because I love BBQs or picnics or parades or fireworks spectaculars, even though I do, but because it celebrates the country that I love.

I have always loved my country, the United States of America. I was raised to love my country. My parents, uncles, and grandparents were members of veterans organizations, the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. My dad served in the Army in WWII during which time he fought in 3 major battles in Germany. My uncles all served in WWII and the Korean War. My maternal grandfather served in the Army in WWI. Military service has always been respected and honored by my family. We have always been proud to fly our American Flag.

Even though we struggle with many problems, we still are a strong people. We will not let any other countries take us for granted or abuse us. We are always there to help others if the situation arises. We are "the land of the free and the home of the brave." After 9/11 and the terrorist attacks on our country, our beliefs, a new strength and pride in our country was fostered in the younger generations.

Today, I also feel a new sense of pride in this great country. This pride comes from the knowledge that my son, my one and only son, my baby, has decided that he will join our country's armed forces this time next year after he graduates from high school. The idea gives me both great pride and scares me to death. I'm sure I don't need to explain this to any parent that might be reading this.

Brandon has been considering this step for quite some time now so I have had a little while to get use to the thought. It still scares me to think that he will most probably be placed in harms way at some time during his service to our country but then again, I think that our lives in general place us all in harms ways each day. Driving down the road or flying in an airplane or even going to your school or place of work can bring you into contact with some nutcase bent on harming you, maybe even killing you. At least I know that he will be trained in and equipped with the means to defend himself when confronted with those individuals bent on doing harm. That is more than most of us can say.

So as I ponder today the enormous sacrifices that many have made for the betterment of this great nation, I lift up my prays to God for the safety of our troops and our country as a whole. I asked for prayers for our country's leaders, and all the decisions that they make. And I thank God for the great blessing that He has given me by allowing me to live in this country which definitely is "the land of the free and the home of the brave."

I will leave you with this video from David Archuleta's July 2, 2011 Stadium of Fire performance in Provo, Utah. It just became my absolute favorite. Thank you David for loving our country so much. video credit to 8throwcenter

Friday, July 1, 2011

Everyone has heard the old joke, "What's black and white and red all over? A newspaper." This type of joke is considered a riddle. A riddle is something intended to confuse the mind and my mind is confused right now so....

I have a new riddle for you.

"What can be both 'cool as a cucumber' and hotter that fireworks; innocent as a newborn yet wiser than an ancient sage; and brings out the 'Mother' in you one minute but strikes a 'different' chord the next.?" If you don't know the answer to this riddle, you have been living under a rock recently. So, get out from under that rock and join us here in the world of the Archuleta.

David Archuleta has been in the news a lot lately, the last few days in particular. He has been preparing for a tour in Asia later this month and for his performance at Provo, Utah's Stadium of Fire 4th of July Celebration that takes place tomorrow. David has been doing a lot of interviews with Asian news agencies about his tour. A couple of days ago, a radio station in Sinapore premiered a new song by David and the internet exploded. Everyone in the entertainment world is talking and blogging about "Everything and More." I even saw a tweet from MTV asking what people think of the new song. Wow! To think that the simple act of playing this song on a radio station on the other side of the world has gotten more attention than Jive ever managed to get for David's album The Other Side of Down when it came out in October of last year, is just mindboggling.

But I digress. I don't want to rant about old news (Jive, we are so over you) but bring your attention to something that hit me today as I was watching the incredible interviews David participated in with some Utah TV stations while promoting the Stadium of Fire performance. And here is what came into my mind.

David Archuleta is a riddle. He is confusing. Above all, he is not normal. Period. That's it. What else is there to say. I think the lovely host of GoodThings Utah summed it up very nicely this morning when she said to David , “Do you even understand the extraordinary talent that you are?” She definitely hit the nail on the head with that. David doesn't understand it and he probably never will. He doesn't have an ego, so the statement probably can't make any sense to him. But we, as fans, know all too well about that extraordinary talent and the extraordinary young man that possesses it. But I, for one, am confused. For someone who tries so hard to be so unassuming, how can he be so uninhibited when he starts singing? How does this shy boy become this fierce man who takes our breath away when the notes flow from his mouth? I can't explain it. It doesn't make sense to me. And this is my problem. I want to be able to promote this young man to the world that doesn't know him, but words fail me.

As I thought about these interviews, and tried to process what I had heard and seen, I thought how odd it would be to try to explain David to someone who had no idea who he is. What would I say to them. Is there a word to describe him? As I tried to wrap my mind around the "idea of David," I started thinking about words that could be used in this description. Now, just so you know, I have a Bachelors degree in English Education, but this doesn't make me an expert on the English language, by any means, especially when it comes to talking about this young man. I searched my mind to try to formulate a description and the first word that came to my mind was "enigma." I know that this word will not help most people picture what I am trying to say, so I headed to a dictionary and a thesaurs to try to get a handle on this problem.

Here are a few words that I feel can be used to describe David Archuleta. I have included definitions for those of you struggling, as I am.

Enigma: apersonofpuzzlingorcontradictorycharacter.Riddle: a person or thing that puzzles, perplexes, or confuses; enigma.

I know that these words only scratch the surface when it comes to describing David. I will need to work on this description. I'm not sure if I will ever actually find the proper words to complete it. I'm not sure if the correct words actually exist that can fully encompass the essence of this young man. So I remain confused.

I now have a project for the long weekend. I will continue to research this curiosity, this conundrum. I will leave you with this one item that I am using for part of this weekend's research project. I'm sure that you will agree with me that it should be an essential part of any research.

I believe that Matt Clayton is to be thanked again for another incredible photograph.